RARITIES

Beauty, and grace, and wit are rare;
And even intelligence:
But lovelier than hawthorn seen in May,
Or mistletoe berries on Innocent’s Day
The face that, open as heaven, doth wear —
With kindness for its sunshine there —
Good nature and good sense.

-Walter de la Mare

Thanks to Stephen Pentz for giving me this “bonus poem” earlier this year.

Sconzani reports a hawthorn, also known as the May-tree, blooming right now: Earthstar